Advantages of Virtual Medical Care
Virtual medical care is a relatively recent development that gained significant traction in the 2010s, propelled by technological advancements and the COVID-19 pandemic, which solidified telemedicine’s role in American healthcare. While a supportive regulatory environment has fostered this growth, recent threats to reimbursement policies could hinder the progress and benefits achieved through virtual care.
Virtual medical care offers several advantages over traditional brick-and-mortar facilities, including increased accessibility for diverse populations, reduced costs, and improved efficiency. It enables individuals with limited resources or mobility to conveniently access healthcare services.
Additionally, virtual care supports cost-effective management and can help overcome barriers related to time, transportation, and financial constraints.
Virtual care allows family members and those with limited mobility to attend appointments easily, avoiding issues like traffic, the risk of falls, stressful transportation logistics, costs associated with travel, and lost work hours. For some patients, the complexities of medication regimens, marginal vital signs, incontinence, and lack of social support can make travel difficult.
Certain forms of virtual care, such as asynchronous care, allow patients to bypass the time constraints often associated with in-person visits. Many patients face short office visits, limited availability of providers during urgent situations, inflexible appointments, and scheduling challenges at busy doctor’s offices.
Virtual medical care presents a transformative approach, particularly in managing cardiovascular diseases and addressing the limitations of traditional care models. By leveraging technology, virtual care can enhance accessibility, reduce costs, and improve patient outcomes. Evidence supports the continued expansion and integration of virtual care into mainstream healthcare, provided that regulatory and reimbursement challenges are addressed. Future research and policy development should focus on optimizing virtual care practices and ensuring their sustainability to realize their full potential.
Please consult your care provider and reimbursement bodies regarding the appropriateness of virtual medical care visits for you, as well as the future of reimbursement for such services with your insurance, Medicare, and Medicaid.
Written by Benjamin Bergman MD, FACC (founder of VocalMD) on behalf of the Mayors Wellness Campaign Advisory Committee of the Chathams.